Chapman arrested after jumping in the lake to flee police

James Forrest Chapman, 56, of Belleville was arrested June 3 after jumping in Belleville Lake and swimming off to avoid Van Buren Township Police.
VBT Police Lt. Charles Bazzy said Chapman was visiting his friend on Alba Court when they allegedly got into a fight. The friend called VBT police and then Chapman called VBT police, Lt. Bazzy said.
When police arrived, Chapman fled and jumped into the water, Lt. Bazzy said. Chapman swam along the shoreline, with Officer Champagne following along on the shore. The officer reportedly was taking off his bulletproof vest and other heavy gear to remove Chapman from the water for his safety, when Chapman came out of the water himself and was arrested.
Lt. Bazzy said Chapman placed the police in jeopardy for requiring them to enter the water to save him, thus the obstructing a police officer charge.
After Chapman’s arrest, he refused to provide a DNA sample as required by law, so he was charged with a simple misdemeanor for the refusal.
He also is charged as a habitual offender.
Chapman was scheduled to be before 34th District Court Judge David Parrott on June 22 for a preliminary exam on the charges.
Chapman also refused to give a DNA sample last year on an aggravated stalking charge, but 34th District Court Judge Brian Oakley dismissed the charge. Since then, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office appealed Judge Oakley’s decision to circuit court. And, the court recently reversed Oakley’s decision.
The 2015 DNA charge is being sent back to 34th District Court to be reheard because circuit court said the district court erred.
Chapman’s bond on the most recent charge was $2,000/10% and he paid $200 bond but was not released from the Wayne County Jail because of a hold for a violation of probation charge from Circuit Court Judge Margaret Van Houten.
This had to do with his nolo contendere plea last December to a stalking charge, as a plea deal to an aggravated stalking charge. Judge Van Houten’s sentence included two years of probation starting Jan. 29, 2016. There was a violation of that probation and an amended sentence.
A warrant for his arrest was issued May 31 on yet another violation of that probation and his arraignment on that charge was held June 16.
His violation hearing and a motion hearing before Judge Van Houten was scheduled for July 22.